3rd Test England v Pakistan, Edgbaston, Aug 3-7.

[sussexpob]

I like the way that when Pakistan made a choice to bowl, the commentators unanimously started slagging off the decision saying it was a pitch for batting. Pakistan skittle England for under 300, and now we are hearing suddenly how much of a tough wicket it is to bat, and a pitch where you are "never in"... plenty of sideways movement, everything.

I think only Michael Vaughan was the one to say England were 50-100 runs under par here. And even he then checked that opinion when England were bowled out to say England had made par.There is something in the pitch, but if Pakistan bat well they should take the lead. And the pitches here flatten out on day 2 if memory serves.

It was a pretty poor batting day for England, and without a little more luck for some batters it could have been worse.

1-0 to Pakistan in my book.

[Dr Cricket]

I like the way that when Pakistan made a choice to bowl, the commentators unanimously started slagging off the decision saying it was a pitch for batting. Pakistan skittle England for under 300, and now we are hearing suddenly how much of a tough wicket it is to bat, and a pitch where you are "never in"... plenty of sideways movement, everything.

I think only Michael Vaughan was the one to say England were 50-100 runs under par here. And even he then checked that opinion when England were bowled out to say England had made par.There is something in the pitch, but if Pakistan bat well they should take the lead. And the pitches here flatten out on day 2 if memory serves.

It was a pretty poor batting day for England, and without a little more luck for some batters it could have been worse.

1-0 to Pakistan in my book.

Pakistan made a brave call so easy to bowl first after england score 500 plus last time around especially having a world class leggie in the team.

[hopeforthebest]

If one were to look at the deliveries that took the wicket of Hales since he has opened for England, a lot of them would be really good deliveries that many batsmen would be troubled by. However I have a theory that batsmen who display a certain vulnerability attract more good deliveries than batsmen with sound techniques. Bowlers seem to instinctively up their game when batsmen look vulnerable rather like hyenas in the wild who recognise a weakness in their prey. Hales is that sort of player and for that reason I don't believe he has a long term future in test cricket.

Vince on the other hand doesn't need a good delivery to take his wicket, he's happy enough to deliver it up on a plate.

[sussexpob]

I think bowlers instinctively up their game when they know they can push the boundaries and get away with it. In Hales case, he is so paranoid that any form of aggression is going to be looked on as proving he hasnt got the mental capacity to lpay test cricket, he sits there almost refusing to score runs, and bowlers know they can get away with more bad balls striving for that perfect wicket taking delivery. So in that way, I agree with you, but its more his attiude than anything technical. I think that is shown in Cook, who has motored away despite looking out of sorts because Pakistan's bowlers have thrown in some utter dross. Had Hales been more positive the rewards are there. But he has to be prepared to take risks..... sometimes the best form of defence is to attack more, but at the moment he is a sitting duck.

[sussexpob]

Ballance's innings probably summed him up perfectly too. He will probably score runs in test cricket just by his impressive self discipline. He ground out an innings yesterday despite early on being turned upside down, inside out. Technically, his wicket dangles like a carrot to any bowler who can unlock it and get the balls into his weakness, but if he gets lucky like he did yesterday when he edged first short of the slips, and then through a gully position that had just been moved elsewhere, then he can make scores as bowlers get tired and the ball gets old.

Ballance certainly wont be throwing his bat around. But against a world class bowler on a pitch that does a bit, id be putting large amounts of cash on him not sticking around. At a couple of points yesterday he body was almost turning chest on to begin with. Losing his head position.

Ballance's mental toughness combined with James Vince's shot making ability..... well, you probably have one of the best players in the world in the last few decades. But Vince has no brain, and Ballance has no technique. And both as a result have sell by dates.

[sussexpob]

As for Vince, well in a way he is the least concern. As an above average golfer, I have had moments where you stop swining as well and you get to a coach who watches one swing and tells you "what the hell is happening to your arms". 30 balls on a driving range, and you start hitting dead straight again. Sometimes its the most obvious weakness that is the best to have. Its clear he has big problems, but those problems are manageable and can be coached out of him.

Id rather have a problem like Vince's then one which is harder to see, like with Hales. If James Vince makes a stand and says "dont hit anything that is not going to break the wicket" he instantly becomes better. Can he do it? We shall see, maybe another test where he fails and he wont get another chance to.

[Arthur Crabtree]

For someone who supports india and lives in London

I'm surprised you aren't rooting at least a little for the home side, instead of wishing for England to fail at every point

I am totally neutral, for some reason always been pessimistic about england cricket team.
plus being slight realistic not really seeing england getting good/decent size lead.
at worse pakistan will score around 260-270 which is basically parity.

In a low scoring game which this may well be 30-40 runs is a good lead

Arguably, to be level, Pakistan need to go past England by 30-40 runs, as they have to bat last.

[Dr Cricket]

I like the way that when Pakistan made a choice to bowl, the commentators unanimously started slagging off the decision saying it was a pitch for batting. Pakistan skittle England for under 300, and now we are hearing suddenly how much of a tough wicket it is to bat, and a pitch where you are "never in"... plenty of sideways movement, everything.

I think only Michael Vaughan was the one to say England were 50-100 runs under par here. And even he then checked that opinion when England were bowled out to say England had made par.There is something in the pitch, but if Pakistan bat well they should take the lead. And the pitches here flatten out on day 2 if memory serves.

It was a pretty poor batting day for England, and without a little more luck for some batters it could have been worse.

1-0 to Pakistan in my book.

Lol comm changing mind again warne saying best day to bat today and tomorrow lol.

[Arthur Crabtree]

That's what stats suggest. Depends on overheads of course.

[sussexpob]

That's what stats suggest. Depends on overheads of course.

Saying yesterday it should be clear and bright, maybe a bit of cloud

[budgetmeansbudget]

Teams have been bowled out for under 300 in the first innings 7 times out of the last 9 tests at Edgbaston. They have gone on to lose on 5 out of the previous 6 occasions.

Also taking into consideration the weather yesterday, you can see why Misbah chose to bowl.

[Dr Cricket]

Hafeez goes for 0

[backfootpunch]

Disastrous start for pakistan

Was there to cut but very poor execution from hafeez

[sussexpob]

Poor shot that

[backfootpunch]

New opener looks pretty organised